Shelf management systems

ABSTRACT

A shelf management system comprises a product merchandising ( 400 ) for mounting on a shelf, rack or other support unit ( 405 ). It comprises a locating strip ( 430 ) engageable with the front edge ( 406 ) of the shelf. One or more dividers ( 410 ) divide the shelf into zones to accommodate product. The front end of each divider ( 410 ) divide the shelf into zones to accommodate product. The front end of each divider ( 410 ) is engageable with and lockable to the locating strip. ( 430 ). In the engaged mode, the divider ( 410 ) is movable relative to the locating strip ( 430 ) while still being connected to the locating strip. In the locked mode the divider ( 410 ) is secured relative to the locating strip ( 4309 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelf management system, inparticular to a product merchandising apparatus, such as a gravity feedmerchandising apparatus, a spring loaded merchandising apparatus or amerchandising apparatus with a product pulling mechanism, which isfitted to a sloping shelf, rack or other support unit used in shops,supermarkets and other retailing premises.

[0002] Gravity feed merchandising apparatus and systems have been usedin the merchandising industry for a number of years and can be veryeffective in merchandising small bags, packs and boxes of merchandise,such as sweets, stockings, soups and the like. One such gravity feedmerchandising apparatus is described in the present applicant'spublished International Patent Application WO-A-9317607. That gravityfeed apparatus has a sloped shelf, a vertical wall and a slidablecassette for pushing merchandise on the shelf towards the front wall. Aportion of the merchandise on display is placed into the cassette. Thecombined weight of the cassette and the merchandise contained in itforces the remainder of the merchandise to the front of the 'shelfadjacent the front wall. Also, the lower front edge of the cassette hasa rim which contacts the merchandise at its base in order to concentratethe force of pushing the merchandise forward.

[0003] A disadvantage associated with the above arrangement is that forlower density merchandise enough weight may not be generated by puttingthe merchandise into the cassettes to push the merchandise forward.Other systems use tracks to allow the cassette to slide with reducedfriction and dividers to separate rows of product. A disadvantage withthese systems is that it is necessary to manufacture many differentdepths of tracks and dividers to fit to the various sizes of retailshelves. Also, even though the cassette as shown in WO-A-9 317 607 is ofsimple construction, it still requires assembly by a shop assistant or ashopfitter.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,285,429 discloses a shelf organizer with adivider member, where the divider member locks in position on the shelfby engaging with a guide rail positioned at the front of the shelf

[0005] The object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantagesassociated with the prior art

[0006] The present invention provides a shelf management systemcomprising a product merchandising apparatus for mounting on a shelfrack or other support unit comprising a locating strip engageableparallel to the front edge of the shelf, rack or other support unit; oneor more dividers for dividing the shelf, rack or other support unit intozones to accommodate product; the front end of the or each divider beingengageable with and lockable to the locating strip, whereby in theengaged mode the divider is movable relative to the locating strip whilebeing connected to the locating strip, and in the locked mode thedivider is secured relative to the locating strip

[0007] As a result of this structure, the compartments or zones on ashelf can be readily rearranged without any need to demerchandise theshelf.

[0008] Other advantageous features of the invention are defined in theappended claims 2 to 40 the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

[0009] The invention is easy to assemble and fit to a shelf, requires nospecial skill, tools or knowledge and can therefore be fitted and loadedwith merchandise by merchandising staff avoiding the necessity to callon the services of shopfitters.

[0010] The invention will hereinafter be more particularly describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of exampleonly, a number of embodiments of a shelf management system including aproduct merchandising apparatus according to the invention. In thedrawings:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a productmerchandising apparatus according to the invention utilising a gravityfeed arrangement mounted on a shelf;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment showing onedivider, the cassette mounted on the track and the ribs which locate theinvention on the shelf;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the telescopic track andtelescopic divider mounted on the ribs;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view which shows only the track mounted onthe ribs on the shelf;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through the base of the cassetteas mounted on the telescopic track;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the cassette runner on thetelescopic track;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the telescopic track;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the front and one side of asecond embodiment of a product merchandising apparatus according to theinvention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the rear and one side of themerchandising apparatus as shown in FIG. 14;

[0020]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the productmerchandising apparatus of FIGS. 14 and 15; and

[0021]FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views from the front and rearrespectively of the product merchandising modified for a particularmerchandising arrangement.

[0022]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a productmerchandising apparatus according to the invention, showing a pair ofdividers retracted and locked at the front of a shelf;

[0023]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the third embodiment showing thedividers extended and engaged at the rear of the shelf;

[0024]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the third embodiment showing onedivider released at the rear end and unlocked but engaged at the frontend;

[0025]FIG. 16 is a series of orthogonal views 16A to 16G illustratingthe detail of the front portion of the divider of the third embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 17 is a series of orthogonal views 17A to 17G illustratingthe details of the rear portion of the divider;

[0027]FIG. 18 is a series of orthogonal views 18A to 18F and perspectiveviews 18G to 18H illustrating the details of front end of the track ofthe third embodiment.

[0028]FIGS. 19 and 20 are enlarged side views of one example of alocking and engaging means of the divider of the third embodiment;

[0029]FIGS. 21 and 22 are enlarged side views of a second example of alocking and engaging means of the divider of the third embodiment;

[0030]FIGS. 23 and 24 are enlarged side views of a third example of alocking and engaging means of the divider of the third embodiment;

[0031]FIG. 25 is a partly exploded front perspective view showing thedetail of a removable front end of the divider having solid wings andFIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the same detail;

[0032]FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a modified divider of thethird embodiment; and

[0033]FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the modified divider of FIG.27.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first embodiment of productmerchandising apparatus 210 comprises a telescopic central track 212manufactured as two extruded parts of low friction material such asnylon. These parts fit one inside the other as illustrated in FIG. 10and the complete track can be therefore adjusted to fit any shelf depth,of for example, between 300 mm and 600 mm. The track is secured to theshelf at both ends. The track is provided with a front clip 213 and arear clip 214 incorporated into the track at the front and rearrespectively. Each clip has a socket which locates over ribs 215 and 216to hold the track 212 in position. Rib 215 includes a flexible element235 which creates a suction grip on the shelf which can be easily liftedfor cleaning. The rib 215 acts only to locate the front edge of thetrack and dividers.

[0035] A cassette 218 is slidably engaged on the track 212 so as to pushitems of merchandise (not shown) forward. The cassette 218 is suppliedflat as one item and needs only to be folded into shape where it islocked in place by a 'snap action for ease of assembly. The cassette hasa runner 220 which interlocks with the track as shown in FIG. 11. Thisallows the cassette to follow either section of the telescopic track orboth sections together in the overlap between the sections. The front ofthe cassette is shaped to provide a protrusion 222 which contacts thebase of the item of merchandise in front of it in order to concentratethe force of pushing the merchandise forward by the force of gravity.The cassette also contains a U-shaped cut out at the front to enablesmaller items of merchandise to be lifted out easily by hand.

[0036] There are dividers 224 which separate the rows of merchandise.These dividers are telescopic, accommodating shelves between 300 mm and600 mm in depth. The ends of the dividers have sockets which locate overribs 215, 216 to hold the divider in position.

[0037] The second embodiment of product dispensing apparatus 300 isshown generally in FIGS. 8 to 12. Track components 301 and 302 are thetwo parts of the telescopic track that housing 305 slides along,component 301 being the rear or back element in the arrangement andcomponent 302 being the front element. Track component 302 clips ontoreceiver/profile/rail 308 at the front of the retail shelf and trackcomponent 301 clips onto receiver/profile/rail 307 at the rear of theshelf. Rail 308/307 can manifest itself in a number of forms—as aco-extrusion where the other flanges of the profile are of a softflexible material allowing it to ‘grip’ like a suction cup to thesurface it rests on, incorporating an adhesive tape on the underside ofthe profile in order to adhere to the surface or incorporating a stripof magnetic tape to grip to metal shelving. Also, incorporated into thisprofile can be a facility for ticket strips and an upstand or ‘fence’facility to stop product falling off the shelf.

[0038] Track component 301 comprises a number of ridges or dimples 311equally spaced along its length corresponding to a V shaped detail 321on track component 301 allowing the track to be setup on a display shelfat pre set positions—this is an interference fit which can be reset withadequate applied pressure. Elongate element 304 acts as a ‘puller’,which pulls housing 305 along track components 301 and 302 in turnpulling product forward on the shelf when the puller element 304 ispulled by a user. The puller element 304 incorporates a snap off section340 allowing it to be used on different shelf depths.

[0039] Housing 305 acts as a housing for a spring (not shown) when inuse and as a pusher along track components 301 and 302 when used in thepusher arrangement. In the “puller” arrangement as shown in the drawingsit is being used as a platform or guide along the tracks 301,302 whichin conjunction with facia 306 and puller 304 the product is pulledforward along the shelf. Facia 306 can be produced in a range of shapesand sizes depending on the size and shape of the product being eithermanually pulled or pushed by the spring. Incorporated into the design ofthe facia is a transparent sleeve 360 that allows the retailer or brandmanufacturer to insert a printed message such as indicating the productto be stocked in this row or an ‘out of stock’ indicator.

[0040] The arrangement shown in FIG. 8 is set up as a puller arrangementas merchandising apparatus for flat or flat packed products such assliced cheeses and meats.

[0041] Component 303 acts as a ridged guide allowing product to begripped at an angle backwards to a plane shelf surface. Guide 303,nominally half the length of the extended track, is securely placed tothe front of the track and retail shelf engaged with track component302. The friction between housing 305 and track components 301 and 302ensures that product is kept in line at the back section of thecompartment—guide 303 keeping product presented correctly at the frontof the shelf.

[0042]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the arrangement of the embodiment 300for use with spring loading of the housing 305. A flat section 351 isprovided on front wall 350 housing 305 for contacting small items suchas spice bottles and medicines. Above the flat section 351 is an angledprofile which is a compromise between the puller arrangement (requiringan angle for flat packed products) and the pusher arrangement requiringa flat vertical surface. The house 305 contains the main portion of thespring behind the front wall 350 and is fed through orifice 352 and isheld in place at the front of track component 302 by tension aroundretainer 325.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 28, the third embodiment 400 of ashelf management system includes dividers 410 (only two of which areshown) for dividing the shelf 405 into zones 420 to accommodate product.The front end 412 of each divider 410 is engageable and lockable tolocating strip 430 mounted at the front edge 406 of the shelf 405 andparallel to the front edge.

[0044] The locating strip 430 includes a ridge or ball formation 432 andan upwardly extending lug 434. Complementary formations in the form of asocket 413 and depending lug 414 are provided at the lower front end ofthe divider 410. In use the socket 413 fits over the ball formation 432and even while connected can be slid along the strip 430 to the desiredlocation. When the lugs 414 and 434 are inter-engaged the dividers 410are locked in position and cannot be moved without disengaging the lugs.

[0045] Each divider 410 has two parts or portions, a front portion 415and a rear portion 416 telescopically engageable with the front portion415 so as to be extendable and contractable to accommodate differentdepths of shelves, racks or other support units.

[0046] To provide additional rigidity to the system a second locatingstrip 440 is mounted at the rear edge 407 of the shelf 405 and parallelto the rear edge. The end 451 of the rear portion 416 has a socket 417which is engageable with a formation 442 on the second locating strip440. The end 452 of the rear portion 416 is provided with a clip 453which engages with a catch 454 on the front portion 415 so as to providea detent means to prevent the unintentional disengagement of the twoportions 415 and 416. To disengage the two portions pressure is appliedto release the clip 453 and catch 454.

[0047] A base 440 is provided on the front portion 415 so that thedivider is stable and can be standing on the shelf when just connectedat its front end. A series of stops 462 are provided along the frontportion 415 at 50 mm intervals so as to control the amount of theextension of the rear portion 416 for the front portion 415 with notches463 contacting the stops 462 to provide the necessary contact.

[0048] An alternative version of inter-engaging formations 470, 471 isshown in FIGS. 23 and 24 to provide the dual engaging and lockingfunction between the divider 410 and the strip 430.

[0049] The front end 480 of the divider 410 can engage with a riser (notshown) located in the front section 408 of the shelf 405. Other optionsare the provision of flexible barriers 482 as shown in FIG. 14 whichprovide a go/no go arrangement for dispensing merchandise. Othermerchandise require the provision of a solid barrier 484 which isengagable by means of a channel 485 engaging with the inverted T shapeconnection 486 at the front end 480 of the divider 410. Each barrier482, 484 can have one or two sections depending on its location, i.e. atthe end or middle of a shelf.

[0050] The merchandising apparatus 500 includes a spring loadeddispenser 510 mounted on a track 520, the front end 525 of which isengaged with the locating strip 430. As shown in FIG. 18, a pair offormations 526 and 527 are provided at the front end 525 which areengagable with the formations 432 and 434 on the strip 430.

[0051] The dispenser 510 includes a receptacle 515 to accommodate a cardor other information bearing element to assist the users and customers.The shelf management system of the invention can be used in a number ofarrangements:

[0052] (1) Dividers only,

[0053] (2) Dividers with spring loaded dispenser,

[0054] (3) Dividers with gravity feed dispenser,

[0055] (4) Dividers with puller dispenser.

[0056] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific details described herein, which are given by way of exampleonly, and that various modifications and alterations are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

1. A shelf management system comprising a product merchandisingapparatus for mounting on a shelf, rack or other support unit comprisinga locating strip engageable parallel to the front edge of the shelf,rack or other support unit; one or more dividers for dividing the shelf,rack or other support unit into zones to accommodate product; the frontend of the or each divider being engageable with and lockable to thelocating strip, whereby in the engaged mode the divider is movablerelative to the locating strip while being connected to the locatingstrip, and in the locked mode the divider is secured relative to thelocating strip; engaging and locking means for engaging and locking theor each divider to the locating strip, whereby the engaging and lockingmeans comprises complementary engageable formations formed on thedivider and the locating strip; characterized in that the complementaryengageable formations comprise a first set of engageable formationsincluding a ball and socket in cross-section and the second set offormations comprises a pair of overlapping lugs, whereby to unlock theformations the overlapping lugs are disengaged by tilting the dividertowards its front end about the ball and socket arrangement and wherebythe socket of the divider may be slid along the ball or ridge formation.2. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 1, in which the or eachdivider is telescopically extendable and contractable to accommodatedifferent depths of shelves, racks or other support units.
 3. A shelfmanagement system as claimed in claim 1, in which a second locatingstrip is engageable parallel to the rear edge of the shelf, rack orother support unit, with the rear end of the or each divider beingengageable with the second locating strip.
 4. A shelf management systemas claimed in claim 3, in which engaging means are provided to engagethe rear end of the or each divider to the second locating strip.
 5. Ashelf management system as claimed in claim 4 in which the engagingmeans comprises complementary engageable formations formed on thedivider and the second locating strip.
 6. A shelf management system asclaimed in claim 5, in which the complementary engageable formationsinclude a ball and socket in cross-section.
 7. A shelf management systemas claimed in claim 1, in which a barrier element is provided at thefront end of the divider so as to prevent merchandise from falling fromthe shelf.
 8. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 7, in whichthe barrier element is selected from the group consisting of one rigidflap, two rigid flaps, one flexible flap and two flexible flaps.
 9. Ashelf management system as claimed in claim 1 in which the or eachdivider is engageable with a riser at the front of the shelf.
 10. Ashelf management system as claimed in claim 1, in which the productmerchandising apparatus includes a track engageable with and lockable tothe first locating strip.
 11. A shelf management system as claimed inclaim 10, in which engaging and locking means are provided to engage andlock the track to the first locating strip.
 12. A shelf managementsystem as claimed in claim 11, in which the engaging and locking meanscomprises complementary engageable formations formed on the track andthe first locating strip.
 13. A shelf management system as claimed inclaim 12, in which the complementary engageable formations comprise afirst set of engageable formations including a ball and socket incross-section and the second set of formations comprise a pair ofoverlapping lugs, whereby to unlock the formations the overlapping lugsare disengaged by tilting the track towards its front end about the balland socket arrangement and whereby the socket of the divider may be slidalong the ball or ridge formation.
 14. A shelf management system asclaimed in claim 1, in which the or each divider is provided with anextended base so as to provide stability for the divider.
 15. A shelfmanagement system as claimed in claim 14, in which the cross-sectionalshape of the or each divider corresponds to an inverted T-shape.
 16. Ashelf management system as claimed in claim 2, in which the or eachdivider comprises two parts, one part being telescopically engageablewith the other with detent means being provided at the engaging end ofone or both parts to prevent unintentional disengagement of the twoparts.
 17. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 16, in whichstop indications are provided at regular intervals along one part of thedivider so as to provide a means of determining the length of thedivider.
 18. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 10, includinga telescopic track engageable with shelves of different depths; aproduct support member mountable on the telescopic track and a means formoving the product support member and any product supported by themember from one end of the track towards the other end.
 19. A shelfmanagement system as claimed in claim 18, in which the means for movingthe product support member comprises a pusher element movable bygravity, a pulling mechanism operable by a user or a spring loadedmechanism to urge the product support member towards the said other endof the track.
 20. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 10, inwhich the track is of low friction material and a pushing member isslidably mounted on the track for pushing items of merchandise towards adispensing end of a shelf.
 21. A shelf management system as claimed inclaim 10, in which the track is securable to the shelf at both ends. 22.A shelf management system as claimed in claim 20, in which the pushingmember comprises a pair of runners slidably engageable with the trackand a plate engageable with the runners.
 23. A shelf management systemas claimed in claim 10, comprising a cassette for containing items ofmerchandise with the cassette being slidably mountable on the track;whereby the cassette with its contents provides a weight to push itemsof merchandise towards a dispensing end of a shelf.
 24. A shelfmanagement system as claimed in claim 23, in which the cassette ismanufactured from a low friction material, and is slidable on the track.25. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 23, in which thecassette is provided with points of low friction material which areslidable on the surface of the shelf on which the apparatus is mounted.26. A shelf management system as claimed in claim 23, in which thecassette is provided with wheels or rollers which allow it to slidedirectly on the shelf surface.
 27. A shelf management system as claimedin claim 23, in which the cassette includes a base, a rear wall and afront wall, the front and rear walls being pivotally attached to thebase so as to be foldable from a generally flat transport position to afolded operating position.
 28. A shelf management system as claimed inclaim 24, in which the cassette comprises a front wall, base and rearwall manufactured from metal so as to provide weight to the cassette.29. A product merchandising apparatus comprising a telescopic trackengageable with shelves of different depths; a product support membermountable on the telescopic track and a means for moving the productsupport member and any product supported by the member from one end ofthe track towards the other end.
 30. A product merchandising apparatusas claimed in claim 29 in which the means for moving the product supportmember comprises a pusher element movable by gravity, a pullingmechanism operable by a person or a spring loaded mechanism to urge theproduct support member towards the said other end of the track.
 31. Aproduct merchandising apparatus comprising a track of low frictionmaterial and a pushing member slidably mounted on the track for pushingitems of merchandise towards a dispensing end of a shelf.
 32. A productmerchandising apparatus as claimed in claim 31, in which the track issecurable to the shelf at both ends.
 33. A product merchandisingapparatus as claimed in claim 32 in which the track is securable by aconnector engaged with each end of the track and is removably engageablewith a rib element on the shelf at each end of the track.
 34. A productmerchandising apparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which the pushingmember comprises a pair of runners slidably engageable with the trackand a plate engageable with the runners.
 35. A product merchandisingapparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which the pushing member comprises ablock slidably engageable with the track and an inverted V-shape platemember securable to the slidable block.
 36. A product merchandisingapparatus comprising a cassette for containing items of merchandise andan elongated track on which the cassette is slidably mountable, thetrack being telescopic so as to allow the apparatus to be easily fittedto shelves of differing depths; whereby the cassette with its contentsprovides a weight to push items of merchandise towards a dispensing endof a shelf.
 37. A product merchandising apparatus as claimed in claim36, in which the apparatus includes dividing members securable to theshelf to keep items of merchandise in ordered rows and wherein thedividing members are telescopic.
 38. A product merchandising apparatusas claimed in claim 36, in which the cassette is manufactured from a lowfriction material, and is slidable on the track.
 39. A productmerchandising apparatus as claimed in claim 36, in which the cassette isprovided with points of low friction material which are slidable on thesurface of the shelf on which the apparatus is mounted.
 40. A productmerchandising apparatus as claimed in claim 33 in which the cassette isprovided with wheels or rollers which allow it to slide directly on theshelf surface.